Original Post:If you follow politics at all you have heard the name Mark Sanford. He is a 2nd term Republican Governor from South Carolina and a vocal critic of the current administration. He's also been long mentioned as a possible 2012 GOP nominee for President. He led an unsuccessful fight against the bailout. Well, his story took a little strange turn Thursday.

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer said he's been told the governor's staff is in contact with the second-term Republican, but Sanford's wife said she hasn't heard from him in several days, including Father's Day.

So let me get this straight? The Governor of a state wants to get away from his work after a tough fight and just disappears? Why didn't he just go vacation with his family? This was Father's Day weekend right?

“Obviously, that's going to be somewhat out of the question this time given the attention this particular absence has gotten. Before leaving last week, he let staff know his whereabouts and that he'd be difficult to reach. Should any emergencies arise between the times in which he checks in, our staff would obviously be in contact with other state officials as the situation warrants before making any decisions.”

Is it just me or is every statement and quote making this story even stranger?

Found this passage in that same CNN article:

State Sen. Jake Knotts, a fellow Republican and opponent of Sanford, told CNN that South Carolina law enforcement officials informed him Saturday that the governor had taken a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division vehicle on Thursday and had not yet returned.

"I found out that he was taking frequent trips at odd times of the night in a SLED car with no security," Knotts said. "He would be driving. I got wind that he had taken another one of these types of capers last Thursday, and that nobody knew who he was with.

Knotts added: "On Saturday, I still was getting wind that he had not shown back up and nobody knew where he was."

Knotts said a SLED official told him on Monday that Sanford still had not returned.

"He needs to transfer the power and let the lieutenant governor, which the constitution requires, let him be the person that makes the decisions." Knotts said. "My concern was 'Who would be in charge should an emergency arrive for the safety of the people and citizens of the state?'"

Ok..let's recap. The senator is missing, supposedly in touch with his Chief of Staff. Didn't notify his wife, the Lt. Governor or other senior state officials including close friends where he was going? Plus he took off in a police car?

Authorities are ruling out foul play because it turns out Sanford does this often....just not for this long.

Wherever he is (let the guesses begin) and whatever he's doing (again...throw out a few guesses) it is safe to assume his 2012 hopes are done. I mean if this guy can't handle the pressures of being Governor of South Carolina, being President might be a few rungs out his reach. Just look at these headlines: